Frank Bowman
@frank-bowman.bsky.social
Semi-retired law professor. Legal historian. Champion of causes that ought not to be lost, but for the moment seem to be.
1) Never listen to congressman who IDs as Dr So-and-so. Anyone who thinks MD is more exalted title than Senator is a fool. 2) But MD makes idiocy of these comments worse. Risk pools including non-sick people makes whole system solvent. 3) I guess fire insurance is rip-off cuz most houses don't burn.
November 10, 2025 at 8:49 PM
1) Never listen to congressman who IDs as Dr So-and-so. Anyone who thinks MD is more exalted title than Senator is a fool. 2) But MD makes idiocy of these comments worse. Risk pools including non-sick people makes whole system solvent. 3) I guess fire insurance is rip-off cuz most houses don't burn.
This seems right. At least 5 interlocking risks: 1) AI boom may be bubble 2) crypto infiltration of mainstream finance will be a calamity 3) destruction of regulatory institutions 4) Trump incompetence 5) no competent subordinate govt officials to manage crisis.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
Opinion | Trump Is Pushing Us Toward a Crash. It Could Be 1929 All Over Again.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:29 PM
This seems right. At least 5 interlocking risks: 1) AI boom may be bubble 2) crypto infiltration of mainstream finance will be a calamity 3) destruction of regulatory institutions 4) Trump incompetence 5) no competent subordinate govt officials to manage crisis.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
Reposted by Frank Bowman
I have long argued that the single best thing you could do to improve the functioning of the US government is double the salaries of everyone working on Capitol Hill. Serving Congress shouldn’t involve poverty wages in DC. You could attract a much wider set of perspectives netting a better result.
people hate hearing this but it's 100% true, creating a huge pay gap between political leaders, their staffs, and other elites is a recipe for corruption. of course the flip side of that is taxes on the rich should be jacked way the hell up
The Mayor of New York only makes $260k. I bet there are police that make more than that in NY with overtime.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
November 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I have long argued that the single best thing you could do to improve the functioning of the US government is double the salaries of everyone working on Capitol Hill. Serving Congress shouldn’t involve poverty wages in DC. You could attract a much wider set of perspectives netting a better result.
Reposted by Frank Bowman
Pulitzer Prize photo right here.
November 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Pulitzer Prize photo right here.
Reposted by Frank Bowman
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
November 6, 2025 at 1:16 AM
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
Reposted by Frank Bowman
Holy crap. MAGA diehard Danielle Jurinsky lost her city council seat in Aurora, Colorado. She more than anyone is responsible for ginning up the false claim that Tren de Aragua had "taken over" the city. She also repeatedly tried to dissolve the city's groundbreaking public defender office.
Progressives may flip Aurora council as voters reject Danielle Jurinsky and other incumbents
Jurinsky built ties with Trump during the 2024 campaign when he falsely claimed Aurora was being “taken over” by a Venezuelan prison gang.
denverite.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Holy crap. MAGA diehard Danielle Jurinsky lost her city council seat in Aurora, Colorado. She more than anyone is responsible for ginning up the false claim that Tren de Aragua had "taken over" the city. She also repeatedly tried to dissolve the city's groundbreaking public defender office.
On Al Jazeera tonight providing a short, simple (genuine experts might say simplistic) explanation of the issues in the SCOTUS tariff argument.
mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/XGI25g...
mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/XGI25g...
bowman-03g-06
mediaview.aljazeera.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
On Al Jazeera tonight providing a short, simple (genuine experts might say simplistic) explanation of the issues in the SCOTUS tariff argument.
mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/XGI25g...
mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/XGI25g...
Despite the grotesque narcissism, he's not entirely wrong on point one. And it should terrify Republicans, including heirs apparent Vance & Rubio. The MAGA phenomenon is, I think, centered on Trump as a personality. Remove his weird gravitational pull & I doubt anyone else can hold it together.
November 5, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Despite the grotesque narcissism, he's not entirely wrong on point one. And it should terrify Republicans, including heirs apparent Vance & Rubio. The MAGA phenomenon is, I think, centered on Trump as a personality. Remove his weird gravitational pull & I doubt anyone else can hold it together.
1/2 I've seen claims that Google search algorithm has been compromised to avoid negative portrayals of Trump, but I didn't really believe it. Today I encountered something that makes me wonder.
While working on Trump section of my book on pardons, I searched for stories (of which there are tons)...
While working on Trump section of my book on pardons, I searched for stories (of which there are tons)...
November 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
1/2 I've seen claims that Google search algorithm has been compromised to avoid negative portrayals of Trump, but I didn't really believe it. Today I encountered something that makes me wonder.
While working on Trump section of my book on pardons, I searched for stories (of which there are tons)...
While working on Trump section of my book on pardons, I searched for stories (of which there are tons)...
Reposted by Frank Bowman
Welcome to Science Hell 😱
November 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Welcome to Science Hell 😱
Leaving aside the deranged lunacy of this apocalyptic claim, I doubt that Elon has ever met any natives of rural England, Scotland, or Ireland. Such folks would be unlikely to take being compared to hobbits as either accurate or complimentary.
Elon Musk, "These lovely small towns in England, Scotland and Ireland, they've been living their lives quietly. They're like hobbits"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
November 2, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Leaving aside the deranged lunacy of this apocalyptic claim, I doubt that Elon has ever met any natives of rural England, Scotland, or Ireland. Such folks would be unlikely to take being compared to hobbits as either accurate or complimentary.
Reposted by Frank Bowman
What he said: 💯 🎯
November 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
What he said: 💯 🎯
Reposted by Frank Bowman
“Would Americans be so accepting if, instead of observing the detached remoteness of a missile from the clouds, we watched our servicemen board the vessels and simply execute everyone on board without asking a single question?
It is, in every way, the same thing.”
It is, in every way, the same thing.”
Former federal prosecutor Dan Gelber recalls prosecuting “boat cases” in 1980s Miami | Opinion,
When ‘drug boat’ justice meant asking questions, not missile strikes | Opinion
Former federal prosecutor Dan Gelber recalls prosecuting “boat cases” in 1980s Miami | Opinion,
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
“Would Americans be so accepting if, instead of observing the detached remoteness of a missile from the clouds, we watched our servicemen board the vessels and simply execute everyone on board without asking a single question?
It is, in every way, the same thing.”
It is, in every way, the same thing.”
Gelber & I were in USAO Miami at same time. I prosecuted these cases, too. I immediately recognized aerial infrared videos Trump's people posted of boats as the kind of EVIDENCE we used to convict those aboard.
Our videos ended with interception & arrest. Not flame & death.
This is plain murder.
Our videos ended with interception & arrest. Not flame & death.
This is plain murder.
Former federal prosecutor Dan Gelber recalls prosecuting “boat cases” in 1980s Miami | Opinion,
When ‘drug boat’ justice meant asking questions, not missile strikes | Opinion
Former federal prosecutor Dan Gelber recalls prosecuting “boat cases” in 1980s Miami | Opinion,
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Gelber & I were in USAO Miami at same time. I prosecuted these cases, too. I immediately recognized aerial infrared videos Trump's people posted of boats as the kind of EVIDENCE we used to convict those aboard.
Our videos ended with interception & arrest. Not flame & death.
This is plain murder.
Our videos ended with interception & arrest. Not flame & death.
This is plain murder.
US killed boaters w/ drones. War Powers doesn't apply, Trump lawyers say, because it's not "conflict" if targets can't shoot back.
So if we line up unarmed civilians against a wall & machinegun them, that's okeydoke & Congress gets no say.
A weight off my mind.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
So if we line up unarmed civilians against a wall & machinegun them, that's okeydoke & Congress gets no say.
A weight off my mind.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
War Powers Law Does Not Apply to Trump’s Boat Strikes, Administration Says
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
US killed boaters w/ drones. War Powers doesn't apply, Trump lawyers say, because it's not "conflict" if targets can't shoot back.
So if we line up unarmed civilians against a wall & machinegun them, that's okeydoke & Congress gets no say.
A weight off my mind.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
So if we line up unarmed civilians against a wall & machinegun them, that's okeydoke & Congress gets no say.
A weight off my mind.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
Reposted by Frank Bowman
Halloween from
Down Under
I love Kangaroos
Just had to share
(sound up) 🎃🤣
Down Under
I love Kangaroos
Just had to share
(sound up) 🎃🤣
October 31, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Halloween from
Down Under
I love Kangaroos
Just had to share
(sound up) 🎃🤣
Down Under
I love Kangaroos
Just had to share
(sound up) 🎃🤣
Reposted by Frank Bowman
On the left, the refurbished Lincoln bathroom. On the right, picture I took in Saddam Hussein's palace in Basra in 2005.
October 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
On the left, the refurbished Lincoln bathroom. On the right, picture I took in Saddam Hussein's palace in Basra in 2005.
Reposted by Frank Bowman
Remarkable. These guys don't realize that THEY are the orcs.
October 30, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Remarkable. These guys don't realize that THEY are the orcs.
Strongly recommend this excellent piece comparing current US situation to that in the authoritarian or backsliding countries in which the author managed rule-of-law programs for over 20 years.
(Fact that author is my brother is a bonus.)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
(Fact that author is my brother is a bonus.)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
How Will You Know That America Has Become a Dictatorship? After 20 Years Living in One, I Can Tell You.
Much of the country is afraid: afraid of the government. Afraid of their fellow citizens. Afraid U.S. laws will no longer protect them.
slate.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Strongly recommend this excellent piece comparing current US situation to that in the authoritarian or backsliding countries in which the author managed rule-of-law programs for over 20 years.
(Fact that author is my brother is a bonus.)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
(Fact that author is my brother is a bonus.)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Frank Bowman
Much of America is afraid. Afraid of the government. Afraid of their fellow citizens. Afraid America’s legal and judicial institutions will no longer protect them. If Americans don't wake up, organize, and fight harder to defend the rule of law, we'll find ourselves living in an authoritarian system
How Will You Know That America Has Become a Dictatorship? After 20 Years Living in One, I Can Tell You.
Much of the country is afraid: afraid of the government. Afraid of their fellow citizens. Afraid U.S. laws will no longer protect them.
slate.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Much of America is afraid. Afraid of the government. Afraid of their fellow citizens. Afraid America’s legal and judicial institutions will no longer protect them. If Americans don't wake up, organize, and fight harder to defend the rule of law, we'll find ourselves living in an authoritarian system
1/2 My former MU colleague is such a fraud. He votes for every R bill dismantling the social safety net & then finds a way to piously decry some carefully chosen aspect of the overall project to look like a principled man of the people.
But Josh has only 1 principle-
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
But Josh has only 1 principle-
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
Opinion | Josh Hawley: No American Should Go to Bed Hungry
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
1/2 My former MU colleague is such a fraud. He votes for every R bill dismantling the social safety net & then finds a way to piously decry some carefully chosen aspect of the overall project to look like a principled man of the people.
But Josh has only 1 principle-
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
But Josh has only 1 principle-
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
House Republicans are back on the Biden autopen trail.
So I'll re-up the piece I wrote in July debunking their crazier claims, while critiquing some aspects of the Biden pardon process.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
So I'll re-up the piece I wrote in July debunking their crazier claims, while critiquing some aspects of the Biden pardon process.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Republicans Are Trying to Turn Biden’s Autopen Use Into a Huge Scandal. Here’s the Truth.
The Biden pardon brouhaha embraces at least five sets of pardons.
slate.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
House Republicans are back on the Biden autopen trail.
So I'll re-up the piece I wrote in July debunking their crazier claims, while critiquing some aspects of the Biden pardon process.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
So I'll re-up the piece I wrote in July debunking their crazier claims, while critiquing some aspects of the Biden pardon process.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Frank Bowman
Trump has destabilized civilian-military relations more than any president in recent memory, Kori Schake writes. The last comparable crisis ended with Ulysses S. Grant’s historic choice:
What Trump Could Learn From Ulysses S. Grant
The last American crisis over civilian-military relations ended with a general’s historic choice.
bit.ly
October 27, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Trump has destabilized civilian-military relations more than any president in recent memory, Kori Schake writes. The last comparable crisis ended with Ulysses S. Grant’s historic choice:
1/15 A thread on Trump's renewed teasing of 3d term.
First, 22nd Amend is clear no one can be "elected" to presidency 3 times. So he can't (legally) run for the office, meaning appear on the ballot as candidate for the presidency, receive electoral votes & thus be "elected" a third time.
First, 22nd Amend is clear no one can be "elected" to presidency 3 times. So he can't (legally) run for the office, meaning appear on the ballot as candidate for the presidency, receive electoral votes & thus be "elected" a third time.
October 27, 2025 at 9:52 PM
1/15 A thread on Trump's renewed teasing of 3d term.
First, 22nd Amend is clear no one can be "elected" to presidency 3 times. So he can't (legally) run for the office, meaning appear on the ballot as candidate for the presidency, receive electoral votes & thus be "elected" a third time.
First, 22nd Amend is clear no one can be "elected" to presidency 3 times. So he can't (legally) run for the office, meaning appear on the ballot as candidate for the presidency, receive electoral votes & thus be "elected" a third time.